Best Chinese in Chinatown?

[jes13]

What's the best Chinese in Chinatown?

[designerboy01]

My favorite is still Cantoon Garden and Danny Ng both Cantonese. I'm giving East Ocean a try tomorrow. I've noticed that if I go weekdays the food may be different than on weekends at Cantoon.

[wleatherette]

different, as in better? it's on my list to try, so it would be good to know when it's preferable to go.

[designerboy01]

Different as in "not better". I think its better on weekends.
The steamed eel in black bean sauce is pretty good. Also they got 2 lobsters for $19.99. You can get it with EFu noodles and XO sauce for $25.

[csw]

Its a debatable subject and there will never be a BEST one. I must say I agree with most of the restaurants suggested, however its what you feel most comfortable in. Some are barewalls with minimal/grungy decor serving great food, and others are slicker in decor catering to the westernized crowd with fantastic food albeit pricey. Nevertheless its all still the best.

[Brian S]

Here are two recent threads with a lot of discussion of Chinatown restaurants.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/323879

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

But the best? My opinion changes day to day. I love Cantoon Garden and East Ocean (though my meal last week at the latter wasn't up to par, so who knows?). I dont think anyone will agree on best.

[Chandavkl]

Another vote for Cantoon Garden and East Ocean--but my last visit to Cantoon was subpar. Probably #1 cook's night off.

[csw]

I had 2 mediocre experiences also. On both occasions the fish dishes were muddy.

[Brian S]

I've found Cantoon Garden to be better than usual the past few visits. I went again tonight. The chef was there, patrolling the dining room, not strutting proudly like a celebrity chef, but with a look of astonishment -- all these people came to eat MY food, I must be asleep and dreaming, dont wake me.

I ordered something from a wall poster in Chinese. I thought it would be something incredibly exotic and I got....sweet and sour fish. But it was superb. The fish,a big chunk of carp, bones and all, was brushed with a thin, very salty coating... so it was salt baked. It was wonderfully moist. On top was a mountain of pickled carrots and jicama (or something like jicama) And over it all was the sweet and sour sauce of my childhood, ketchup and all. I couldnt complain, that was what I ordered, even if I didnt know it. And it was really good despite the sauce.

[Allisondbl]

Brian - The weird and interconnected ways of the world - maybe Abrams and Lindelof of "Lost" have it right ... Earlier today I happened to reply to your recent query about my original years-old post re: my search for a good Northern Indian restaurant. Now I'm posting a pre-dining note thanking you for your suggestion of Cantoon Garden. Reading your posts has engendered some trust in you as a foody, so I'm a-gonna take up your suggestion and take my best friend and his husband there. I'll post a note on our experience/sense of the food for what it's worth. Certainly the board (can't remember if you commented on this) were NOT wrong about Mas: fantastic food, fantastic design, fantastic service.

[Brian S]

Oh I'm thrilled you trust me, a bit anxious too in case it doesn't go well! My current Chinatown favorite is Amazing 66. I just ate there again last night.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/340879

And if you haven't seen my guide to Chinatown post, have a look, it might help:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/342344

[Allisondbl]

NOW you tell me this!
Well, reservtions can be changed. I'll go read your post. Alley